Kalanchoe is a genus of succulents belonging to the Crassulaceae family. It comes from South Africa and this is what should be taken into account when trying to provide it with optimal living conditions. And the variety found in our apartments is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, known for its intensely colorful flowers. It is short, reaching a maximum of 30 cm, which makes it an ideal table flower. The plant has thick, fleshy leaves with slightly serrated margins. This is where it stores water. The flowers, gathered in dense umbels, may be red, yellow, orange, purple or white. During the holiday season, we often choose kalanchoes with red inflorescences, which blend into the Christmas home decor against the background of dark green leaves.
Kalanchoe is an easy plant to grow, but it requires appropriate conditions to grow well and bloom profusely. For the plant to produce flowers, it needs specific conditions and care:
- Position and lighting
Kalanchoe likes a lot of light. It feels best on south- or west-facing windowsills, where it receives intense daylight. During the winter, long hours of sunlight are crucial for its flowering.
The optimal temperature for kalanchoe is 15-25°C. The plant tolerates dry air well, so it does not require spraying. However, avoid drafts and temperature drops below 10°C.
As a succulent, kalanchoe requires moderate watering. In summer we water it once a week, and in winter even less often – every 10-14 days. It is important to prevent water from remaining in the pot, which may lead to root rot.
A permeable substrate works best, for example a mixture of universal soil with sand. During the flowering period, it is worth fertilizing kalanchoe every 2-3 weeks with fertilizer intended for succulents or flowering plants.
After flowering, cut off the wilted inflorescences, which will encourage the plant to create new shoots.
Kalanchoe is a short-day plant, which means that it needs limited access to light for about 14 hours a day to bloom. To encourage flowering, you can cover the plant with a dark cloth at night for a few weeks.
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In gardening stores you can find many varieties of kalanchoe, which differ in color and flower shape. Here are some of the most popular:
- Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Calandiva– characterized by full, multi-petal flowers resembling miniature roses.
- Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Flaming Katy – a classic variety with simple flowers in intense colors.
- Kalanchoe thyrsiflora – known as shiny kalanchoe, it has thick leaves covered with white coating and small flowers.
- Kalanchoe pinnata – a variety known for its decorative leaves and medicinal properties.
Among these varieties, everyone will certainly choose something for themselves. Thanks to its longevity and ability to bloom repeatedly, kalanchoe will be a decoration in your home all year round.
